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Artists gear up for Eurovision

The 62nd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Kiev, Ukraine this spring with the first semi-final taking place on 9 May, followed by the second semi-final on 11 May.

As for the Eurovision final, it is currently set for Saturday 13 May and will be aired live from 8pm on BBC One.

So who is representing us in the Eurovision song contest this year? Well you may recognise her from series six of The X Factor in 2009. Lucie Jones, 25 went head to head against Jedward (Eurovision song contest representatives of Ireland in 2012) in week five where the Welsh singer was eliminated after the vote turned to the public vote as the judges took it to deadlock and she came out with fewer votes. She finished in eighth place putting her behind the likes of Joe McElderry (who went on to win), Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon. So far this year her luck has changed and she has come out on top, winning the public vote against five other solo artists, in the BBC Two show, Eurovision: You Decide.

Lucie will be performing the song ‘Never Give Up On You’, which was composed by former Eurovision champ Emmelie de Forest and songwriter Lawrie Martin.

The song can be found here.

Graham Norton should once again be gracing us with his, as described by Jess Denham: “gloriously acerbic, oh-so-British commentary.” Eurovision displays are known for their insanity, which Graham has no issue in commentating on in a way that only heightens their ridiculousness and makes for great comedic television. Graham has expressed a lack in confidence for the UK’s chances in this years competition when speaking to the Daily Star: “I’m just not sure it will happen for us this year. I mean, I could be wrong, as Germany have won, Austria have won. So I suppose people who never win, win.” Is it possible brexit could pose a threat to the UK’s chances?

Sophie Roberts and Becky Pemberton reveal: “Odds from Sunbets suggest that Italy will come out on top as winners of the Eurovision 2017.” Francesco Gabbani has been chosen to represent Italy and will compete with his award winning song Occidentali’s Karma. Italy has taken part in 42 Eurovision Song Contests since the first in 1956, but only won twice.

Will you be tuning in on the 13 May? It’s guaranteed the entire thing will be excruciatingly long-winded considering there will be a maximum of 26 countries competing in the final, but it does have a way of luring us in for three and a half hours.